(3) 4-6 National Geographic: Everything series. With Shivani Bhalla. Dynamic photographs heighten this survey of predators great and small. Exploring the vital role of predators in ecosystems, the book describes the physical attributes, behavior, and habitats of myriad predatory species across the land, sea, and sky. While the busy layout can sometimes be visually overwhelming, a wealth of information overcomes this minor flaw. Quizzes and an interactive glossary are included. Reading list. Ind.

Reviewer: Russell Perry

(3) 4-6 National Geographic: Everything series. With Brady Barr. Striking photographs of snakes, lizards, turtles, and alligators bolster this fascinating overview of reptiles. Enlightening text delves into the reptilian life cycle, the diversity of species behavior and characteristics, and the dominance of reptiles in the prehistoric age. The layout is occasionally crowded, but the quality and quantity of information overcome this minor flaw. Quizzes and an interactive glossary are included. Reading list, websites. Ind.

Reviewer: Russell Perry

(3) 4-6 National Geographic: Everything series. With Shah Selbe. Combining National Geographic Kids' signature packed magazine-like design with appealing material, this installment is an accessible, engagingly laid-out introduction to the evolving world of robotics. Over four chapters full of captioned photographs, readers discover real, potential, and fictional uses of robots and learn about international research and innovation. Contains a "robotics challenge" and an "interactive glossary." Reading list, websites.

Reviewer: Dorrie Karlin

(3) 4-6 National Geographic: Everything series. With Shalise Manza Young. A scrapbook-style layering of crisp, glossy photographs pulls readers into this browsable book. Starting with the question "What Is a Sport?", the volume moves to an accessible and entertaining collection of facts, figures, and history on a wide variety of sports, all presented in brief text boxes. Participatory features include activities, quizzes, and an "interactive glossary." Reading list, websites. Ind.

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan

(3) 4-6 National Geographic: Everything series. With Brendan Mullan. The facts in this book are accurate and progressively organized from layers of the atmosphere through space phenomena and space exploration to a final section, "Space Fun." The tone is accessible without being hyperbolic, with occasional contributions from a National Geographic astronomer. Short boxes of information are presented scrapbook-style with excellent photos. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) 4-6 National Geographic: Everything series. With Dino J. Martins. Insects are accurately introduced in four major sections of busy double-page spreads with catchy headings ("Ladies and Gentlemen: The Beetles!") and colorful overlapping photos of varying sizes. Colloquial text includes solid insect facts; an entomologist is also introduced. Interactivity is a priority, especially in the final section, which includes quizzes, an "interactive glossary," and a recipe for "Mealworm Crispies." Reading list, websites. Ind.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) 4-6 National Geographic: Everything series. With Andrew Jennings. This volume provides a broad overview of Norse civilization during the Viking Age, A.D. 793–1066. In four main chapters, a wide variety of topics are covered cursorily. Multiple text boxes, maps, graphics, and action-packed digital illustrations give the pages a busy feel. Opportunities for interaction (e.g., a "What's Your Viking Nickname?" activity) are plenty. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(4) 4-6 National Geographic: Everything series. With Hillary S. Young. Birds of prey, or raptors, are accurately introduced in four major sections of busy double-spreads with catchy headings ("Nest Sweet Nest") and colorful overlapping photos of varying sizes. Colloquial text includes solid bird facts; an ornithologist is also introduced. Interactivity is a priority, especially in the final section, which offers quizzes (one contains errors) and an "interactive glossary." Reading list, websites. Ind.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) 4-6 National Geographic: Everything series. Illustrated by Gonazlo Ordoñez & Margaret Salter. With Adrienne Mayor. Though the title suggests you'll learn "everything" about mythology from around the world, really the book provides brief snapshots. Four chapters are subdivided into two-page sections covering various aspects: types of mythologies; specific stories; prominent creatures, figures, and gods; etc. A mix of illustrations, photos, and text boxes on every spread makes for busy visuals. A resources list is appended. Ind.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(4) 4-6 National Geographic: Everything series. Selected facts about dinosaurs are presented in chapters loosely organized into definitions and basics; structure, function, and growth; major species; and extinction. Brightly colored, computer-generated images of each species dominate the pages, and crammed alongside are smaller photographs and diagrams of fossilized remains, captions, and additional facts in sidebars. Quizzes, puzzles, activities, and an "interactive" glossary are included. Reading list, websites. Ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) 4-6 National Geographic: Everything series. With Omar Gonzalez. History, gear, terminology, rules, tournaments, training tips, players--soccer fans will get what they came for in this lively volume about the internationally popular sport. Pages are crammed with captioned action photos, call-out boxes, and brief text; those undeterred by the busy design will learn a lot. A list of places to visit and an "Interactive Glossary" (quiz) are appended. Reading list, websites. Ind.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(4) 4-6 National Geographic: Everything series. With Carsten Peter. Lots of basic facts about natural disasters are packed into bright and busy layouts, along with color photographs of some impressive volcanoes, eruptions, and the aftermath of disasters across global locales. Topics covered include recent and historical eruptions and quakes, the impact of events on human populations, and background earth science. Quizzes and activities are appended. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) 4-6 National Geographic: Everything series. With Virginia Morell. Crammed full of information, this book provides ample opportunities for reader interactions with quizzes, matching activities, a guide to choosing a pet, and more. With abundant photographs and sidebars on every page, there's plenty of (too much?) visual stimulation--an afterword on protecting pets and an interactive glossary round out the package. Websites. Ind.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(3) 4-6 National Geographic: Everything series. With James P. Allen. In this volume numerous topics about ancient Egyptian life are explored. Themed sections are broken down into two-page chapters detailing one specific aspect of the culture. Multiple text boxes, sidebars, and varied illustrations and photos complete the presentation. At first glance the pages seem busy, but they remain clear and easy to read. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(3) 4-6 National Geographic: Everything series. With Flip Nicklin. In this volume the cetacean family of mammals is explored with an emphasis on dolphins. Themed chapters are broken down into two-page sections detailing one specific aspect of the creatures. Multiple text boxes, sidebars, and varied illustrations and photos complete the presentation. At first glance the pages seem busy, but they remain clear and easy to read. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(3) 4-6 National Geographic: Everything series. With Beverly Joubert and Dereck Joubert. Similar in trim size and layout to National Geographic Kids magazine, this volume provides readers with lots of information about big cats, from types of creatures to locations and behaviors to conservation efforts. Striking photographs, including a useful "Photographic Diagram" labeling body parts and their uses, roar off the pages. A "What's Your Cat Purr-sonality?" quiz is included. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Sarah Novogrodsky

(3) 4-6 National Geographic: Everything series. With David Doubilet and Jennifer Hayes. Similar in trim size and layout to National Geographic Kids magazine, this volume provides readers with lots of information about sharks, from types of creatures to habitat and behaviors to conservation efforts. Readers will sink their teeth into the striking photographs, including a useful "Photographic Diagram" labeling body parts and their uses. A "Fun with Sharks" section adds interest. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Sarah Novogrodsky